PALDI Ripe for Urban Infill
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill
1
Disclaimer
Acknowledgement
The information presented in this portfolio has been studied and collected by the author as a part of the “Understanding the City� studio, Faculty of Planning, CEPT University. Any omissions and errors are deeply regretted.
I would like to express my gratitude towards CEPT University, Ahmedabad and Faculty of Planning for conducting a CFP program over developing the understanding of the city. I am grateful to Prof. Vanishree Herlekar and academic associate Jacob Baby who have constantly been active in imparting the best of their knowledge and skills to us. I would like to express my gratitude towards my family and friends for always supporting and assisting me. Lastly I would thank my fellow batchmates, for their support and faith.
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill
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Preface Cities are always in a phase of growth. This phase is either progressive to existing market construct or contradicts the current labour markets. Infill development is a future regeneration model for urban transformations. An urban infill is a potential way to extract city resource such as vacant and underutilized land parcels in the city. Infill development is a challenge and a solution to growing urban sprawl, it is a potential way to create walkable communities, facilitate residents with housing choice, safeguard open spaces, fore-shorten infrastructure expenses, and revitalize old neighbourhoods. The publication is designed in a manner to position Paldi to be ripe for urban infill. First it covers the broader context that reinforces growth and then the second part defines the parameters supporting infill development which are (a) Availability of urban land i.e. vacant urban land and potential land for redevelopment. (b) Land markets driving development. (c) Robust city networks and (d) City level public spaces.
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill
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Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill
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Contents Disclaimer Acknowledgement Preface Contents
02 02 03 05
Context
01
Introduction Situating Neighbourhood Establishing the Historical Background Deciphering the Transformations Interpreting Transitions in Paldi People’s Reflection
06 08 09 10 11
Parameters Defining Urban Infill
02
Urban Land – A Potential City Resource
03
Land Markets Driving Development
Robust Urban Structure Who owns the Urban Resource? Underutilized City Parcel Land Desirability Built Typology – An Overview
Labour Markets in close Proximity Space Consumption is a matter of Choice Job Centers concentrated around Civic Nodes Predominantly an Institutional Job District Transportation Choice is a function of Desirability
12 13 14 15 17
18 19 20 21 22
04
Robust City Networks
05
City level Public Spaces
Neighborhood of Contrasting Networks Characteristics of Access Routes Evaluating Public transit Poor Connectivity reduces active Ridership State of Infrastructure
Neighbourhood Walkability Publicness in Paldi A Physically Well Designed City Edge What Affects the Usability of City Edge Management of Public Spaces
Conclusion Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill
24 26 27 28 29
30 31 33 34 35 36 5
1
Introduction
Situating Neighbourhood
Paldi is an old residential neighborhood along western fringe of Sabarmati in the city of Ahmedabad and presents a wide contrast from an urban village to city fabric. This particular neighborhood shows an ensuing transformation with time. Starting from the Indian independence movement when in 1915, Mahatma Gandhi established the Kochrab Ashram near Paldi gaam. In recent years, the development of Sabarmati Riverfront has emerged as a global landmark for the city and its people. This transition that the city has undergone can be seen as changes due to various determinants
NC Mehta Gallery 18M X 16M Krushi Bhavan 45M X 22M Sanskar Kendra 45M X 45M Tagore Hall 62M X 32M Paldi Bus Station 40M X 40M National Institue of Design 90M X 65M Sabarmati Riverfront 42M X 100M Paldi Municipal Park 90M X 70M
Key Figures
03 Arterial Roads 04 Sub - Arterial Roads Location of Paldi in context of Ahmedabad
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Introduction
0
100 50
500 200
15% Vacant Land mtr
6
Diagramming Paldi Visual Expression
Built Fabric Density
Connectivity and Nodes
Heirarchy of Building Footprints
View of road near NID
Precinct Walkability
Ecology of Precinct
Block Size & Vacant Plots
View of road near Sanskar Kendra
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Introduction
7
Establishing the Historical Context Chronology
1892 Significant Infrastructure Projects and Buildings
Ellis Bridge constructed connecting east and west ahmedabad
Major Policies and Acts
Major events
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Introduction
1915
Mahatma Gandhi established the Kochrab Ashram near Paldi
The act of 1915 Empowered the local authorities to prepare Town Planning Schemes for fast developing areas of the city and town
1939
Sardar bridge established connecting east and west ahmedabad
1925
The act of 1954 Empowered the local authorities to prepare Development plans for the city and town
Bombay Town planning act 1915 was used
Established under Bombay Provincial Corporation Act, AMC is responsible for the civic infrastructure and administration of the city of Ahmedabad.
1950
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) established
1956
Sanskar Kendra museum was established
1954
Bombay Town planning act 1954 was used
1999
1961
Sardar Bridge & Ellis Bridge widening
National Institute of Design was established
The Act encompasses wide range of planning, starting from regional planning at macro level to the Town Planning Scheme at micro level.
1961
Sabarmati Riverfront proposed
The Urban Development Group’s Proposal
1976
The Gujarat Town Planning and Urban Development Act (GTPUDA) 1976
1985
Communal riots
2012
Sabarmati Riverfront gradually open for public use
The Gujarat 1991 Prohibition on The Disturbed transfer of Area Act,1991 Immovable Property and Provision for protection of tenants from eviction from premises
1987
Development Plan (GTPUDA 1976)
Ashram Road retained as commercial zone
1997
SRFDCL Formed
The Sabarmati River front Development Company Limited fully owned by AMC
2009
Ahmedabad Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) started
8
Deciphering the Transformations Land Reclaimed from river currently vacant
Paldi region has core as a gamtal that profoundly is a high density low rise residential neighbourhood. With time as the city was extending in the west there has been a conscious attempt of authorities to release the economic pressure on eastern part of the city, which lead to establishment of the Ashram road that acted as business magnet in west of Ahmedabad. This area was well connected to eastern part, via Ellis bridge and Sardar bridge which resulted in controlled growth towards the outer edge along the riverfront with possibilities ranging from high rise low density and low rise low density residential community.
2000
2007 New Development
Rate of Changes
2019
Redevelopment
Public Infrastructure
New Development
2000 Transformation of Sabarmati Riverfront
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Introduction
Reclaimed land
Demolition and removal
Redevelopment
Vacant Land Demolition
2019
Existing River bed
Early Demolitions
Slum Formation
Slum Removal & Land Reclaimation
Riverfront Development
Vacant Plots & New Roads
2000
2003
2007
2012
2016
2019
9
Interpreting Transitions in Paldi Land rates affect development These infrastructural or policy determinants trigger changes in community, real estate and built environment. 6K
Land Rates rs/sft
2K 10
Distribution of changes
no. of buildings new buildings redeveloped
4550
4K 3K
5850
5600
5K 3700
3100
8 6 4 2
demolished
Changes Determinants
TP scheme 6 was implemented in Paldi and region falls under Residential R1 zone
Land Reclamation from Sabarmati river for development of riverfront
upto 2000
Ashram Road Transit Oriented development zone
2005
2002
Development Plan Granted authority to SRFDCL to develop special regulation for Sabarmati Riverfront
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Introduction
Slum Resettlement & Rehabilitation from Sabarmati river for development of riverfront
2005
Increased land rates in paldi as Reclaimed land is reserved for sports facilities and public institutions
Riverfront road available for public use, with access only to private vehicles
2010
2009
Sabarmati Riverfront Ahmedabad Bus Rapid Construction began Transport System started
2011
Land use plan for SRFDCL approved how reclaimed land will be used
Increase in number of public events and active public participation
2015
2012
Sabarmati Riverfront Gradually opened to public
2019
2017
Sabarmati Riverfront Flower park open for public use
10
People’s Reflection
Why Urban Infill ?
Public investment has affected land market
Gamtal
“Increase in land prices has lead to increase in development”
“Riverfront has lead to cleanliness of river, now, municipal authorities are more particular about regular cleaning sessions. Also people take a note of not throwing any waste in the river”
Presence of old neighbourhood provides possibility for revitalization
Availability of Vacant Land for newer development
- Manan Shah Resident Age : 32
A.K Tangal Age : 64
Owner Pan Corner
“I lost a huge part of my shop twice due to road widening and no allowance was given. And still the roads are completely blocked due to vehicles. Traffic is still a huge problem for us”
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Introduction
Rasik Patel Age : 72
Resident Paldi Gaam
“Our house was constructed in 1980 in just 1.5lacs but now u just get a room at that price. Everything has changed there has been huge increase in land prices and Paldi is no more a village”
“Before there were no boundaries of the campus we had a complete extended view of the river”
Increased re-development in recent years
- Tom Antony Student (NID) Age : 25
11
2
Urban Land – A Potential City Resource
Robust Urban Structure Neighbourhood Structure Paldi shows the transition from ‘Gaam to Gamtal’ and further to city fabric this has been after the city’s expansion in the west and the idea of regulating the changes in development through TP schemes. The schemes triggered an increase in mid rise and high rise residential developments in the region. These changes in transition have been fairly visible in terms of physical, social and cultural dimensions in the region. 68% of open land in Paldi is under margins
0
100 50
500 200
80% Open 0
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Urban Land - A Potential City Resource
Figure ground map
mtr
20% Built 100
12
Who own’s the Urban Resource ? 38% of Paldi has Public Ownership Around 5.6hectare of land in Paldi has Private ownership and falls under R1 zone. The other 3.3hectare of Land is owned by AMC and other Public Institutes
62%
38%
Private Ownership
Public Ownership
32% of Land is occupied by other Public Institutes Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) occupies only 6% of total land that account for a total area of 0.5hectare. Other public institutes like NID, SRFD other Co-operative societies occupies 32% of total public land that account for a total area of 2.8hectare.
61% of Land under Public ownership is SRFD Land
Sabarmati Riverfront Development Authority (SRDF) occupies 61% of total public land that account for a total area of 1.7hectare. While other public institutes like NID and other institutes occupies 39% of total public land that account for a total area of 1.1hectare.
06% Land Ownership Distribution
32%
Public Ownership Distribution
62% Other Public Institutes AMC Land
39%
61% SRFD Land Other Public Institutes
Private Land
0
100 50
500 200
mtr
Land Ownership map
Public Land
Private Land
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Urban Land - A Potential City Resource
13
Underutilized City Parcel Population Density Distribution
Interpreting Land Demand and Density The Permissible FSI in the region is 1.8 and maximum permissible FSI is 2.7 while for the Transit oriented development zone the maximum permissible FSI is 4. The average FSI of Paldi is 1.35 and 75% of plots are underused as they have FSI less than 1.8. The net population density per hectare in the region is 544 PPH while the net dwelling unit density is 144 dwelling units per hectare. As the continuous increase in Floor space ratio depicts increased land demand i.e. apparently fueled by proximity to large labour markets.
144DU/H
Nett Dwelling Unit Per Hectare
Dwelling Unit Density Distribution
1.35
Average FSI of Paldi
25%
Plot have FSI more than 1.8
544PPH
5.5%
Plot have FSI more than 2.7
Nett Population Per Hectare
Floor Space Index Map 0
100 50
500 200
mtr
Increased FSI and no population density is an indicator of Commercial Landuse
TOZ Permissible FSI 2.7 95k/sqm Average FSI 1.3 65k/sqm
Average FSI 1.8 75k/sqm
Increased FSI and Increased DUs is an indicator of Residential Highrise
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Urban Land - A Potential City Resource
14
Market Desirability Higher Price land has commercial use
Paldi has comparatively higher land rates in the city. The average land value is around 55k/sqm. While the value varies across different parcels within the region. Land parcels near arterial roads and around major nodes have higher land prices of around 1.2L/ sqm which leads to commercial land use while the rates along sub arterial roads are 75k/sqm, due to comparatively lower prices the land is under residential use. The urban village in the precinct i.e. Paldi gaam and Kochrab gaam occupies 22% of total land and is priced at 55k/sqm. The premise also occupies a significant percent of public land that according to market rate is valued around 1L/ sqm.
6% of total land under commercial use is priced at 1.40Lac/sqm
13% of total land under SRFD authority is priced at 1.85Lac/sqm
55% of total land under residential use is priced at
78k/sqm
Land along major nodes 1.2L - 1.4L /Sqm
0
100 50
Gamtal Land 45k - 65k /Sqm
500 200
mtr
Public Land 90k - 1.1L /Sqm
Land along sub arterials 60k - 85k /Sqm
Reclaimed SRFD Land 1.5L - 1.85L /Sqm
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Urban Land - A Potential City Resource
15
Paldi : An Undervalued land Parcel of the City High priced land is left vacant 13% of total land in Paldi is vacant which account for an area of 1.7 hectare and is priced 1.85L/sqm
95k/sqm
55k/sqm
72.5k/sqm
An F.S.I under valued region Overall Avg FSI of Paldi is 1.3 while the permissible FSI is 1.8 and max permissible FSI is 2.7 1.7
1.4
1.3
Avg FSI
Avg FSI
Avg FSI
1.3
Avg FSI
1.0
R1 zone & TOZ R1 zone provides FSI up to 1.8 while TOZ provides FSI up to 2.7 which leads to development
Transit Oriented Zone
Urban village restricts growth Presence of gamtal limits the TOZ boundary resulting in lower benefit of FSI
Actual Boundary of TOZ
Land under public ownership is highly undervalued Public Owned land is FSI deficit and limits development due to its higher spread
Gamtal
R1 Zone
Vacant Plots
Avg FSI
1.85L/sqm 72.5k/sqm
1.4
R1 Zone
Avg FSI
TOZ
SRFD Land
R1 Zone
Gamtal
Institutional
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Urban Land - A Potential City Resource
TOZ R1 Zone
Proposed 200m Boundary of TOZ
Gamtal
Public
1.03 | 1.41
Private
Avg FSI
16
Built Typology - An Overview A Residential Neighbourhood
Residential Typology
Currently Paldi covers 5200 dwelling units with a population density of 26k/sqKm that comprises of around 80% of residential plot use out of which 48% comes under gamtal typology and more than 20% is covered under apartments. This is the contrast that the region presents and it becomes more striking when we compare it with the number of dwelling units and population size i.e. 48% buildings in gamtal occupies 25% of land and accommodates 5845 people, while the residential detached units occupy 25% of buildings in 27% of land and accommodates 2180 people. The region presents diverse characteristics in built typology.
Gamtal
Detached
49% of land use is Residential
90%
Residential
0.5% Mixed
5.5%
Commercial
1%
Public Utility
Semi Detached
2%
Institutional
1%
Religious 0
100 50
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Urban Land - A Potential City Resource
500 200
mtr
Apartments
17
3
Land Markets Driving Development
Labour Markets in close Proximity
Paldi provides a locational advantage with proximity to Ashram road, C.G road, Navrangpura & Law garden area. The median trip distance for residents in Paldi is around 4.5km. The median work trip distance is around 5km while the median education trip distance is 4km. Also the region connects to the eastern part of the city expanding its portal of economic opportunities for the residents and thus making the neighborhood a preferable choice within citizens.
A city’s welfare depends on its labor market. As long as a labor market does not fragment into adjacent, smaller ones as it grows, the larger the market, the more innovative and productive the city will be. Maintaining mobility is therefore essential to the economic viability of cities (Bertaud, 2014).
30
100 90
25
80 70
20
Total Percentage Trips
60 50
15
4.5km
Median travel distance
5km
Median distance for education trip
40 10
30 20
5
5km
Median work trip distance
10 0
0-2
2-4
4-6
6-8
8-10
Education Work Total Distance Travelled (in km)
Spider diagram representing total distance travelled and trip purpose
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Land Markets Driving Development
10-12
12-14
14-16
>16
0
Work Education
Cumulative Distance
Comparison between total trip length vs total percentage of trips with defined purpose.
18
Space Consumption is a matter of choice
116sqm is average carpet area for incomes less than 60k/mo.
200
180
High Income & low carpet area Possibility of newer buildings
Low Income & high carpet area Older Buildings
160
Carpet Area (in sqm)
Preferences and choices are regarded as valueoriented and goal-directed activities (Coolen ,Hoekstra, 2001). Thus, when we see the trend the carpet area size varies from 55sqm to 215sqm and the income ranges from 12k /month to more than 2lac per month. The average carpet area comes to 116sqm for households with incomes less than 60k/month. The analysis of space consumption and income range is also suggestive of the building age i.e. the households with higher carpet area and lower incomes are likely to be older buildings while the households with lower carpet area and higher income range are possibly newer buildings and these are mostly apartments and detached bungalows
140
120
100
80
60 20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
Carpet area consumption in different income ranges
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Land Markets Driving Development
100,000
Total Household Income (in rs)
120,000
140,000
Gamtal
160,000
Detached
180,000
200,000
Semi - Detached Apartments
19
Job Centers concentrated around civic nodes Job centers contradicting market diversity Large institutional land parcels in Paldi provide limited diversity in trade and commerce. This is largely due to civic nodes that lead to diversity in ancillary job centers such as various informal mobile and immobile street vendors. The precinct has a total of 4022 firms out of which 74% of non residential firms belong to trade and commerce and are offering 38% of jobs. While only 10% of Institutional firms accounts for around 40% of total jobs. This 10% of institutional firms supports a total of 65% ancillary job centers and thus complements to the informal economy of the region. Around 55% of trade & commerce in Paldi is driven by Institutional districts. No Firms
Paldi bus depot leading to agglomeration of small retail firms, mobile and immobile street vendors Municipal park in gamtal acting as a potential magnet for street vendors in the precinct
Commercial firms Institutional firms
Increased number of jobs from travel and tourism industry due to close proximity to bus depot and civic nodes NID act as an magnet for secondary job centres and small retail firms. Residential districts create possibility of various local level job centers like small retail and mobile vendors
Street Vendors
1 - 10 11 - 50 51 - 100 101 - 150 151 - 200 Cumulative spatial distribution of job centres in Paldi
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Land Markets Driving Development
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Predominantly an Institutional Job District Informal markets are ‘proximity’ driven Institutional districts form a major job center that promotes formal employment within precinct but also results in the generation of various ancillary job centers, thus creating various mobile and immobile informal jobs within precinct. The region provides a total of 4756 jobs of different nature; 18% are self employed, 22% jobs support regular employment and 41% are contract based while 19% are in casual employment and are largely concentrated around residential districts. The formal jobs support local level firms like small retail enterprises and food joints. Even the bus depot and municipal park act as agglomeration points for informal economy. Presence of institutional districts like National Institute of Design, Diwan Ballubhai school, create potential for informal economy due to large influx of people in and out thus creating potential for informal micro markets within the precinct.
Self employed 18% Due to presence of institutes and transport nodes there are increased number of small and medium scale retail shops, mobile & immobile street vendors in the precinct.
Regular employment 22% Bus depot within the precinct results in increased number of small to large scale hotels, restaurant and food outlets and thus providing regular employment within precinct.
I Self employed jobs
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Land Markets Driving Development
Contract based employment 41% Urban campuses, civic buildings, banks ,schools and AMC offices in the precinct results in increased number of contract based jobs within Paldi
Contract based employment
Regular employment
21
Transportation Choice is a function of Desirability
16%
14% 5000
4000
Percentage Expenditure on Transport
12%
10%
8%
3000
6% 2000 4% 1000
2%
Average of Transportation (fuel+fare)
>200000
190000-200000
160000-169999
150000-159999
120000-129999
110000-119999
90000-99999
80000-89999
70000-79999
60000-69999
50000-59999
40000-49999
30000-39999
0% 20000-29999
0 10000-19999
4500rs is average expenditure on transportation
18%
6000
Total Transportation Cost (in rs)
Average Expenditure is 11% of Total Income Transportation is largely a matter of choice for individuals it is a trade off between time and cost for people with lower incomes while it is a matter of choice and comfort for people with higher incomes. The Insights from the study shows that the average expenditure on transportation is 11% of total household income that comes about to be 4500rs the trend varies for households earning below 60k the average expenditure is 9% and for households earning more than median income the average expenditure is 12%. The possible reasons are people earning less use the locational advantage of the region by working nearby while people earning more have bigger business or factories that are mostly in the city fringes.
7000
Percentage Expenditure on transportation
Total Household Income (in rs)
Comparison between total trip length vs total percentage of trips with defined purpose.
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Land Markets Driving Development
22
Around 62% of total trips taken by households in Paldi are work trips and out of which around 64% of trips are done on 4 wheeler. This shows that people with higher income choose over comfort and time 90 as their prime concerns when making transport choice. The median trip length in the neighborhood is 4.5km and 34% of total trips made80 by 4 wheeler in the neighborhood are less than 4.5km. The average time taken to cover these trips is 12mins.
4 wheeler is a preferred mode of transportation Paldi being an affluent neighborhood is also reflected in the vehicle ownership categorization as 34%of households owning a 4 wheeler are below median income. While 2 wheeler 90 is a preferable choice between all income groups but the range varies. 46% of households owning 80 a 2 wheeler fall under the income range of 30k – 60k while only 16% are above 1 lac. As the preferable mode of transport varies from 2 wheeler to 4 wheeler. 70
70 60
70
than 4.5km
50
60
Total Percentage Trips
40
40
120%
Work
100%
20%
80%
30
15%
60%
Education
20
20
10
10 2 Wheeler 3 Wheeler 4 Wheeler
Transportation Mode
Cycle
Walk
0 Mode* Preferred transportation mode and Trip purpose
Work
Education
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Land Markets Driving Development
20
10%
20%
10 0-2
2-4
4-6
6-8
8-10
>10
0%
Total Distance Travelled (in km) 0 Total to total distance travelled 2-4trip length in relation 4-6 6-8 0-28-10 2 Wheeler
0-2
40%
5%
0%
2 Wheeler
3 Wheeler
3 Wheeler
4 Wheeler
Cycle
4 Wheeler
12mins is the average time taken by trips with 90 distance less than 4.5km 80
40
Trip Purpose- Work/ Education
30
30
0
50
30%
25%
50
Total Percentage
34% of trips are by 4 wheeler and have distance less
Walk
Cycle
Cumulative
Walk
Total Trip Time (in mins)
60
of Survey 64%Count of trips by 4No. wheeler are work trips
70 60 50
40 30
20 10 0
0-2
2-4
4-6
6-8
8-10
2 Wheeler Travelled 3 Wheeler 4 Wheeler Cycle Total Distance (in km)
Total to total trip 2-4trip >10 length in relation 4-6 6-8time 2 Wheeler
3 Wheeler
4 Wheeler
>10
Walk
Cycle
8-10 Walk
23
4
Robust City Networks
Neighborhood of Contrasting Networks
Cities can be seen as complex physical system of veins carrying people. The veins are generally referred to as connectivity links and city networks. These connectivity networks form the core for smooth functioning and movement of motorized and non- motorized transport within the city and are often responsible for the city’s growth and expansion.
82% of nodes are connected 3 way Neighbourhood has organic and rectilinear street layout with intersection roads located at fairly irregular interval. The region also has various number of intersection nodes.
174m/ha
Road Density
0.99/ha
Node Density
2.03
Link Node Ratio
75% roads are neighbourhood oriented Paldi presents a contrast of connectivity networks within region. Varying from urban village in an organic pattern to city fabric that is rectilinear in nature. This contrast affects the block sizes and in turn walkability within precinct.
0
100 50
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Robust CIty Networks
500 200
mtr
Road Heirarchy Map
24
42% of Paldi is accessible on foot The precinct has a well connected internal street layout which makes Paldi pedestrian friendly. This can be an important reason for road infrastructure development and wider footpaths on riverfront road. Currently 30% of roads have some extent of footpath, which conveys a different story of urban contrast in an affluent neighborhood. An insight within area shows 42% of the region is accessible with average block area of 19000sqm and perimeter of 560m making it walkable to pedestrians.
60
Total Blocks
140m x 140m
Average Block Size
Urban village and City Fabric Contrast An insight within area shows 42% of the region is accessible with average block area of 19000sqm and perimeter of 560m making it walkable to pedestrians.
560m
Block Area - 5500sqm Organic block pattern
Average Block Perimeter
0
100 50
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Robust CIty Networks
500 200
mtr
Block Area - 8625sqm Grid block pattern
Block Perimeter Map
25
Characteristics of Access Routes Road width distribution • 43% - 9m wide roads • 16% - 15m wide roads • 22% - 12m wide roads • 11% - 30m wide roads
0
100 50
500 200
mtr
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Robust CIty Networks
Road lane distribution • 08% - 1 lane road • 71% - 15m wide roads • 10% - 12m wide roads • 11% - 30m wide roads
Availability of median • 74% - Roads without median • 26% - Roads with median
0
0
100 50
500 200
mtr
100 50
500 200
mtr
Footpath Extent • 36% roads - Footpath present • 64% roads - Footpath absent
0
100 50
500 200
mtr
26
Evaluating Public Transit Long distances have lower prices and better frequency Public transport demarcates growth it is a potential indicator for a well-developed City. With growing city population It’s important to identify ways to decongest urban roads. These ways have to be updated with time to meet up the current problems in public transportation and the issues of first and last mile connectivity. Public transport is a critical aspect of city and an integral part to the growth of a region. It ensures a balanced development of the city. It’s important to understand that the future of transportation in cities is not in private vehicle at all and the roads have to be necessarily taken over by public transport for a sustainable future in urban transportation.
Distance, Cost and Frequency Comparision 20rs
10rs
Destinations Kankaria Lake Ahmedabad Railway Station
Cost Distance
Lal Darwaja Indira Bridge CTM Cross Road
Paldi Bus Depot
Naroda Terminus Odhav
20min
Gujarat High Court
30min
Vastrapur Lake 40min
Iscon Mega Mall 50min
16km
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Robust CIty Networks
12km
8km
4km
Frequency
27
Poor Connectivity reduces active Ridership
Distance Comparision
Last Mile Commute Makes all the difference In the city of Ahmedabad around 40-50% of the journey time constitutes either the para-transits or the walking time to reach the public vehicle. These quality time of a daily commuter goes unnoticed when talking about improvement of public transportation routes or discussing ways to decongest cities. When we dig deep the numbers based on news articles shows that the 88.8-km BRTS coverage, cut citizens total usage of the AMTS by nearly 18% — defeating the very purpose of the mass transit system. Moreover, the city’s vehicle population increased to 43 lakhs in 2017 up from 23.7 lakhs in 2009. The development in public transits have been significant but the overlooking of crucial aspects like the last mile connectivity has led to its under usage. Public transport is a critical aspect of city and an integral part to the growth of a region.
Kankaria Lake
15mins
Ahmedabad Railway Station
6mins
41mins
Gujarat High Court
7mins
46mins
Vastrapur Lake
11mins 2mins
17mins
Iscon Mega Mall
Public
14mins
53mins
Odhav
0km
4mins
32mins
Naroda Terminus
4km
4mins
43mins
CTM Cross Road
8km
4mins
9mins
Indira Bridge
12km
16mins
21mins
Lal Darwaja
14km
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Robust CIty Networks
Journey Distribution
Destinations
0%
20%
23mins
40%
60%
9mins
80% 100%
Private
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State of Infrastructure Water Supply The water supply network in Ahmedabad is through Narmada canal and French bore wells, most of the residential neighbourhood in Ahmedabad get water through AMC pipeline and is used as the primary source. At many places where the primary sources is inefficient the secondary source i.e. ground water from wells, bore wells and tanker water etc are used. Water Distribution Paldi gets its surface water from two major water distribution system i.e. VS ESR in zone 1 and Gitabaug ESR in zone 2 not have capacity of 945MLD. The VS ESR servers 3722 dwelling units in the eastern part of the precinct while the Gitabaug ESR serves 1832 units in the western part of Paldi. As the supply and dependency is concerned the preferred water source in the precinct is AMC pipeline i.e. surface water but it shows a great variation in terms of seasonal dependency by all residential types because water is supplied only for 2 hours irrespective of residential type.
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Robust CIty Networks
VS ESR Zone 1
Gitabaug ESR Zone 2
Solid Waste Management Paldi has a total population of 26305 and based on standards of 600gms per capita per day as considered by AMC it generates a total of 13.1ton of waste/per day. The various methods used for waste collection are the Door to Door system i.e. via “Chota Hathi� The duration of vehicle varies across blocks within the neghbourhood as the waste is distributed unevenly within various blocks in the precinct.
VS ESR Zone 1 Kotarpur WTP Water Source
25
lakh Gallon ESR Capactity
23.9
lakh Gallon Water Demand
(135L per person/per day)
3722
Total Dwelling units Served
Gitabaug ESR Zone 2 Kotarpur WTP Water Source
25
lakh Gallon ESR Capactity
11.6
lakh Gallon Water Demand
(135L per person/per day)
1830
Total Dwelling units Served
Waste generation vs. block perimeter in Paldi
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5
City Level Public Spaces
Neighbourhood Walkability Street Character India contains streetscapes that allow a wide diversity of urban practices, as well as the potential to generate greater awareness of the harsh realities and inequalities of urban life (Anjaria, 2006). The streets adjoining NID campus presents a complete different story with slum on one edge and vendors on the other, even the parked vehicles add to the character of a typical streetscape. The pedestrians also present a different story of engagement with such streets that is either through interaction with vendors for goods or an informal street conversation. The streets provide people with informal pocket spaces of invisible social life. In Paldi this network is diverse and is present in varied hierarchy. The precinct has a huge potential for pedestrians but is still unmarked. Physically a link generates a possibility to create a better link and that can result in being an animated social street network that shows a future prospect in Paldi.
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | City Level Public Spaces
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Publicness in Paldi
Paldi consist maximum number of city level public & private institutions and open public spaces. This is largely due to two reasons, first an efficient & direct connectivity to the eastern part of the city and second due to walkable block sizes of the neighbourhood. 38% of Paldi is Public The publicness in the precinct can be categorized as city level spaces such as Sanskar Kendra, Tagore hall, and local level public spaces like Municipal park and Sashtri market near NID. Also when we talk about the access of this spaces it varies based on right of admission in that particular spaces. In recent years there has been huge public investments, and the most remarkable one is the Sabarmati riverfront that has emerged as a potential city landmark and this particular investment has acted as a huge magnet for growth and development along riverfront and also in nearby surroundings.
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | City Level Public Spaces
Publicness of Spaces Private
Public
Access of Public Spaces 0
100 50
500 200
mtr
Nollis Map
Restricted Access Open Access
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Case of Sabarmati Riverfront
Why Sabarmati Riverfront is an active public space?
Controlled ingress points
Supports Cycling and Jogging
Uninterupted Walkable Promenade
Provides a continuous view of the river
Promotes Community Gathering Event and Festival Ground Food Outlets
Promotes Healthy living Sports ground Recreation
Connects people to the river Multilevel promenade
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | City Level Public Spaces
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A physically well designed City Edge Multilevel promenade promotes gradation of activities
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | City Level Public Spaces
Continuous lower level promenade offers unobstructed movement
An extended edge serves as an informal community space
River edge splitting the city into halves and defining the riverfront
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What affects the Usability of City Edge Vacant land lessens active utilization Sabarmati riverfront is a potentially active public space only at certain times of the day due to various factors such as the material which gets heated up during the day affects visitor movement and resting time at a significant proportion, time of operation i.e. only open at certain time intervals of the day. Absence of engaging attractions on the riverfront, this also results in a dormant setup as it fails to attract all age groups at all the times.
As the riverfront was developed recently by reclaiming the land from Sabarmati Riverbed. There is a significant portion of land that is currently vacant, and thus loosens the connections with the central business districts because the available land is demarcated for commercial use and provide future possibility of development
Unused upper promenade
Unused upper promenade No Pause Points
Movement in morning User
Bicycle
Movement in afternoon Vehicle
Movement in evening
Movement in night
Pause points
Movement analysis at different times of the day on riverfront
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | City Level Public Spaces
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Management of Public Spaces City Museum : A victim of bureaucratic system Museum aims to symbolize the city of Ahmedabad and celebrate its rich culture, heritage and development but the museum is losing its value as a city museum due its out of focus governance system. This resulted in improper maintenance of the heritage building due to lack of funds and active monitoring. The current governance model involves bureaucracy at various levels and this is where the governing structure fails.
A need for an active governance model The question stays who should operate and maintain public space for an efficient and active functioning of public spaces in cities. Involvement of private players ensures higher quality and timely provision of services. Private sector expertise and experience will be utilized for smooth and intended functioning. This governance structure ensures the necessary investments and more effective resources management.
Proposed model for privatizing the governance structure of Sanskar Kendra Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | City Level Public Spaces
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Conclusion
Infill development promises to contribute to the solution of the problems associated with sprawling land use patterns. It can support increased transportation choices, a more efficient use of land and infrastructure, more varied and affordable housing types, savings for local government budgets, reduced pollution, improved economic health and better quality of life.(Aly, Attwa, 2013) Paldi being an already developed urban area support infill via vacant and underutilized parcels and also provide possibility for redevelopment of older buildings. These certain parameters generate immense possibility for urban infill. Although there are obstacles that hinder this process, as infill supports redevelopment and thus requires an immense co-operation from community as a whole to drive through this change. The region is a potential neighborhood for infill provided that the government policies and development tools are in constant support to this compact growth. There is also a driving need to effectively consider ‘proximity’ as a suggestive indicator for urban regeneration. It is a major factor in cities that drives people choices. Which means there is a constant need to develop a continuous understanding about how labour markets work in cities. Urban infill provides the possibility to foster these choices via promotion of mixed use landscapes and compact developments. It’s the need of today that we keep up with the pace of rapid urbanization and accept change for a continuous upgradation of our cities for tomorrow.
Paldi - Ripe for Urban Infill | Conclusion
References Bertaud, A. (2014). Housing Affordability: Top Down Design and Spontaneous Order. Coolen, Henny & Hoekstra, Joris. (2001). Values as determinants of preferences for housing attributes. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment. Jonathan Shapiro Anjaria. (2006). Is there a culture of Indian Streets. Aly, S., & Attwa, Y. (2013). Infill development as an approach for promoting compactness of urban form. WIT Transactions On Ecology and The Environment, 173(6), 455 - 466.
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